New River one of few air stations flying Marine Corps C-12

Editor’s note: This is the seventh in a monthly series commemorating the 100th anniversary of Marine aviation, which began on May 22, 1912, when 1st Lt. Alfred A. Cunningham reported to Annapolis, Md., for flight training.

Editor’s note: This is the seventh in a monthly series commemorating the 100th anniversary of Marine aviation, which began on May 22, 1912, when 1st Lt. Alfred A. Cunningham reported to Annapolis, Md., for flight training.

Marine Corps Air Station New River is one of few air stations across the United States housing the Marine Corps C-12, a utility aircraft that typically transports VIPs up and down the East Coast, but can also transport light cargo.

“It can do pretty much any mission,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Pierson, executive officer of New River and a C-12 pilot. “But most of the time we do passengers.”

Because the C-12 is typically used to transport generals and other high-ranking officials, the aircraft is piloted by Marines like Pierson, whose primary job is usually a prestigious billet filled by a colonel or lieutenant colonel.

For the pilots, flying the C-12 a side-job that gives them the opportunity to spend some time out of the office doing what they love most: flying.

“We like to say it’s our sanity,” Pierson said. “You’re dealing with a hectic job day in and day out — or the monotonous job from time to time — and to go flying ... that’s what we love to do.”

Pierson said he typically flies the C-12 two or three days out of the week, which he said is more often than he should, but less than he wants to.

“It’s a good gig,” he said, grinning.

Unlike the more well-known CH-53 or V-22, the 43-foot wingspan C-12 is a small, compact aircraft that sits seven in a tight space, but still manages to sit them more comfortably than the CH-53 seats its 24 troops, Pierson said.

It’s a busy aircraft, as generals are constantly flying all over the country. Of the 7,000 personnel stationed on New River, eight Marines are currently capable of flying the C-12, and all of them do, Pierson said.

“Anybody who’s assigned here as a pilot to a primary billet is flying the C-12,” he added. “That’s it. If you’re here and you’re a pilot, you’re flying. We can’t afford for you not to.”

The C-12 is not unique to the Marine Corps or the military in general — it’s a commercial aircraft that is based on the civilian-flown King Air A200CF and the King Air B200C.

However, it’s a rare sight to see one flying around a Marine base, as New River has two of the 12 or so C-12s being used in the Marine Corps today, according to information from New River officials.

While the C-12 can deploy and has deployed in the past, the two aircraft located at New River are not deployable at the moment because they lack the modifications necessary to travel to a war zone.

Page 2 of 2 - Rather, their primary mission is to transport people and light cargo anywhere east of the Mississippi River, and to do it faster and cheaper than a CH-53 or a V-22, because as a smaller craft, the C-12 requires less fuel.

The C-12 crew typically consists of a pilot, co-pilot and one transport air crewman, which is similar to a crew chief. The transport air crewman runs the radio communications, checks weather during flight and assists the passengers, as well as conducts all the pre-flight checks to make sure the plane is ready for the pilots.

Like the Marines who pilot the C-12, the transport air crewman does not fly in the C-12 every day and has a day-to-day job that usually consists of sitting behind a desk.

First Lt. Rob Martins, a New River public affairs officer, is two flights away from becoming a certified transport air crewman for the C-12.

He said he wanted to become a crewman to see a side of the Marine Corps he wouldn’t have otherwise known.

“I’m getting to see a different aspect (of the Marine Corps) and as a Marine we always want to be well-rounded,” Martins said. “This is a chance for me to do that. Not only do I work in public affairs, but I’m also supporting the mission doing this, and it’s something I enjoy along the way.”

Martins’ logic is one shared by all who fly the C-12: They feel lucky to do what they love and still support the Marine Corps’ mission.